Last year, I was not prepared to have guests spend the night, but when uncle so-and-so overindulged in homemade wine, I couldn't let him drive.

Since I didn't have a spare cot, I rummaged around in the basement and pulled out a dusty old sleeping bag for him.

Oh he didn't mind sleeping on the living room floor (he was too drunk to care) but I didn't feel right about him sleeping there. Normally, I have a spare bedroom for guests, but it's filled to the brim with toys right now.

So this year, I decided to seek out some affordable temporary bedding solutions. When my friends visit (with their children) I want them to be comfortable if they need a nap. And by "they" I mean the adults and their kids.

Unfortunately, Most Overnight Guests are Not George Clooney

So, you'll need extra beds/cots

Sleepovers

When I was growing up, I was never allowed to have a sleepover. So when I became a mommy, I thought it would be nice to allow my daughter to have one.

Oh I'd much rather have an intoxicated adult crash in my home than a bunch of 8-year-olds stay overnight.

I never realized how hard it could be to keep six kids happy.

And you can forget about getting any sleep. Because when the house gets really quiet, it doesn't mean they are asleep; it means they've gotten into something they shouldn't.

And if you think a pancake breakfast is a good idea, think again. As soon as you turn your back to flip pancakes, someone is terrorizing the cat or something.

You won't believe how inadequate you'll feel serving up breakfast for a bunch of kids who barely slept. They don't like toast too brown or too light and your jam isn't the jam they have at home. And why don't you have the same juice . . blah, blah, blah.

At least with a drunken adult, you can serve them anything to eat the next day. They are grateful for a cup of coffee and will gladly eat half-burnt toast. They don't need the crusts cut off their toast, either. They are just happy to be alive.

I'd really like sleepovers to be banned. Or at least, make sure there are qualified, certified "sleepover" professionals around to help you out.

All It Takes is One "Lily" in the Bunch

Beware, kids follow the leader

For Children 2 - 5 Years of Age

I was completely impressed with the Regalo My Cot Portable Bed. It keeps the kids off the dusty floor and doesn't require any kind of complicated set-up. It's as fast to assemble as opening an umbrella.

Plus, it folds up neatly into a bag (that comes with it) so you can take it to the beach, sporting events or when you visit family and friends for the weekend.

I especially like the machine washable, sturdy fitted sheet that comes with it. Up next is a short (57 second) video demonstration of this little cot.

My Cot - Portable Toddler Cot by Regalo

Regalo My Cot Portable Bed

Regalo My Cot Portable BedRoseWrites2014-10-075.005

5/5

My Cot Portable Bed by Regalo

Backed by a Limited 90-Day Warranty

Key things to remember: your kid(s) should not jump on this cot and it works like a hammock - so anyone over 75 lbs (34 kg) would probably find this too uncomfortable to sleep on. It keeps your child about 6 - 7 inches off the floor. Kids over 52 inches (4' 4" or 132 cm) might be too tall (long) to sleep on it. This cot is made from certified nontoxic materials (so there's no "funny" smell to it). It's also available in pink.

Whenever we travel to visit friends and family

Unless You Are This Dog

Sleeping on a loveseat or the cushions doesn't work

Keeping Adult Guests Comfortable

Years ago, I visited a relative in Vancouver. She didn't have any spare bedrooms, so I offered to sleep on loveseat cushions (tossed on the floor) with a blanket or two.

I barely slept, the cushions kept coming apart and the cold floor beneath them woke me up. When I put the cushions back on her loveseat and tried to sleep there, I felt like a pretzel. It was pretty bad and it was hard to "be nice" the next day. I needed a vacation after my vacation.

Nah, Kitchen Counters Aren't Comfy Either

The Trouble with Sofa Beds and Futons

Oh and forget inflatables (hot and smells like plastic)

I slept on a fold-out couch and a futon in my college days - never again. These aren't comfortable and sofa beds (if they are still made) weigh a ton. Ever try to move one of them?

Once upon a time, I had a small cot (about the width of a lawn chair) with a mattress that was 2-inches thick and it was horrible to sleep on. There was no way to add extra padding to it either, no fitted sheets, or mattress covers were the right size. So, I decided to donate it.

Finally, I found a solution when I sought out a real mattress company. Simmons has been making mattresses for over 140 years.[1]

And I don't know about you, but I have some relatives on the hefty side, so I needed something good and sturdy. The Simmons Beauty Sleep Foldaway Guest Twin Bed (shown next) can hold up to 300 lbs (136 kg).

Simmons Beauty Sleep Foldaway Guest Bed

Regular twin-sized sheets work just fine

The great thing about this bed is I can put it in the car for road trips too (just in case I'm offered an uncomfortable loveseat to sleep on again). The mattress is 3-inches thick and comes with a quilted fitted cover that is washable. Amazon provides a 1:08 second video to show you how fast and easy it is to set up. You don't need any tools at all. It measures 75 x 31 inches, keeps you 17 inches off the floor, and weighs 29 lbs (13 kg).

Comments

Oct 8, 2014 12:41am

shar-On
What a great article with so many ideas, love the dog on the couch, ours loves to do that and on our bed if he gets the chance. We found the trundle beds were great when the kids had sleepovers. They just pull them out from under their own bed so take up no room and can be made up ready for those unexpected nights. rated up.

Oct 9, 2014 7:43am

RoseWrites
Yeah, I have never slept well putting a sleeping bag on the floor (or the ground). It's more hygienic to be off the floor. I'm thoroughly impressed by these beds that don't require poles to be assembled or attached. It's like opening an umbrella - the Regalo cot. And the Simmons foldaway bed is simple too. Thanks for dropping by and rating up, I really appreciate it.

Nov 12, 2014 1:51am

LeighGoessl
These are some fab ideas (although I don't get why you don't think the kitchen counter is good? ;). In all seriousness though, I wish the Regalo was around when the kids were younger! Or if it was, I didn't know about it.

I hate sofa beds. They are so heavy - and bulky and uncomfortable. We kept the one from the previous owners of our house thinking it would be helpful, and ended up having to saw it in half to get it out (we're still trying to figure out how they got it in!)

Nov 12, 2014 1:56pm

RoseWrites
Ha, yeah, I knew a guy who fell asleep on a dining room table but then rolled off it in the night.

And sofa beds are the worst. I've heard similar stories of people having to saw those things in half (or having to widen doorways) to remove them. I wonder how they got them inside in the first place too.

The Regalo is ideal for kids 3 - 9 (but under 75 lbs / less than 4' 4"). I don't know when it came out, but they have a handy 2011 guide (where I found it): http://www.regalo-baby.com/instructions/Regalo_Product_Brochure.pdf

And I think the Simmons fold-up guest bed is worth the price for a cot. It's easy to pull out and tuck away.

Thanks so much for dropping by and commenting.

Nov 13, 2014 4:53am

LeighGoessl
Ouch! Yeah I wouldn't even try to sleep on a table lol
Thanks again for the tips. We might want look into the Simmons for road trips as it sounds like it might fit the bill (the 2 blow up beds we use during traveling to see family are a pain and one of them is getting too small).

Nov 13, 2014 6:29am

RoseWrites
Anything inflatable is risky (can spring a leak or smells too much like plastic). Plus, you always need to put plenty of sheets on those to make them semi-comfy. I always find them too hot (course I'm in my 40s, so it could be the hot flashes). Thanks again for coming by. Take good care, Rose

Nov 12, 2014 2:24pm

TanoCalvenoa
Couch-beds are horribly uncomfortable, you're right. And when you're 6'2" as I am, many beds are too short. Your description of kids (terrorizing cat when cooking pancakes, complaining about toast being made just right, getting into things when it's quiet) was very funny - and we deal with this sort of thing every day with four kids.

Nov 12, 2014 2:31pm

RoseWrites
Yes, I don't know how on earth some people manage with four kids, like you.

I realized just how well-behaved my daughter was once I had a whole bunch of kids in the house. For some reason, there seems to be one or two that just lead the group into trouble and then they all take over. It's terrifying.

Thanks for dropping by and commenting Jonathan. (Good luck getting the bathroom once your girls are in their teens).

Nov 12, 2014 10:22pm

LyraKua
I love the beds. They can be very useful for small apartments that do not have enough spare rooms for guests.

Nov 13, 2014 6:16am

RoseWrites
Yes indeed - and they store easily too. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

Nov 14, 2014 2:09am

aesta1
We use the Simmons fold up bed in my friend's place in New York each time we have a get together and we have no problem sleeping. I never thought sleep overs are like that...what a nightmare.

Nov 18, 2014 8:45pm

RoseWrites
Oh a bunch of 8-year-old girls in the morning is terrifying - especially if they have been up most of the night and are hungry.

Glad you knew about the Simmons fold up bed too - I know you travel a lot. Say "hi" to Grumpy for me.

Warmly,
Rose

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